Brick-machine



(No Model.)` 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. D. THOMAS.

BRICK MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 14

3 Sheets-Sheet 2..

(No ModeL) l A. D. THMAS.

BRICK MAGHNB.

No. 315,855. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

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N, PETERS, Pnmmuenagmpher. whmgm mc.

(No ModeL) 3 Smeets-Sheet 3. A. D. THOMAS.

- BRIGK MACHINE.

No. 315,855. Patented Apr. 14, l885. y

i i mmm If l mmm @i T .gw "lli S, T; i i i ZZd UNITED STATES f ALBERT D. THOMAS,

Pi-trahir rrice- OF KEOKUK, lOiVA.

BRICK-MACHINE.

EPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 315,855, dated April 14, 1885.

Application filed February 17, 18:5. (No model.)

.T 0 @ZZ whom it mayrconcern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT D. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Keokuk, in the county of Lee and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Briclrlhlachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is an improved machine and process for makingbriek by iilling and compressing pulverized clayin molds by plungers which have peculiar motions by which they approach each other from the top and bottom with varied relative motions until the clay is compacted into very hard, dense, and wellunited brick, which are then pushed up out of the molds and removed while the molds are again filled for making more brick in a like way.

rEhe invention consists in various new and useful features which are made and used substantially asset forth hereinafter,and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of machine. Fig. 2 is a like sectional elevation. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 is atop or plan View. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of part of mold. Fig. 6 is a detail oi' friction-clutch. Fig. 7 is a plan detail of mold; and Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation detail of upper plungers.

The machine is made 4with a bed-plate or frame, A, which rests on wooden sills or otherwise, and with upright frames A A2 A3, to support the operative parts. lt has a moldblock, B, and a brace, B, between the frames A and A?, which, with the bed-plate, hold them solid. The frame A is Wide enough to hold the mold-block and several associated parts. The frame A'3 is made with a front and back portion, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 4., the front part corresponding to frame A and the back part corresponding with frame A3.

The parts which vact directly in making the brick are held between and by the correspendingl parts of frames A A, and the motive-power gearingis held between and4 by the corresponding parts of frames A2 and A3. The two portions of frame A2 are held together by an abutting splice-joint and bolts above and by the bed-frame below. The frames A A2 A3 are held solidly together by the bed-plate A below,lto which they are bolted. The clay is received by a hopper, C, from an elevator or otherwise, from which it descends into a ller-box, C, which reciprocates upon a table, C2, to receive the clay from the hopper above and to feed it to the molds in front and below, and has an apron, C, extending back, which comes under hopper G when the box C is moved forward to lill the molds and to push the brick forward from them ontotable C".

The mold-bloclr B has two or other number of molds, b b, cut vertically through it. The table G2 behind and table C* in front abut flush against the top edge of the mold-block, for use in feeding the molds and in discharging the brick.

The table C* is made with hard wood or other slats, c, extending forward, over which the brick are pushed out by the motion of box f C. The spaces between the slats let any loose clay fall through out of the way of the brick. The slats are held by a cross-bar held to frames A' A2, and by a crossbar at the outer'ends.

The mold-block B is formed of parts D D, which extend between the two framesA A2, towhich they are held by means of horizontal lugs which project from each before and behind on each side, and of cross parts D Dc2 D3, which tit into parts D D at their ends, and are held by bolts which extend through parts D D and screw into their ends. These parts D D and D D2 D: inclose the mold-spaces b b between them, which are lined on all sides by hard and polished steel plates d df. The plates d d are let into panel-depressions cut ntothe side walls, with dovetail joints above and below,which are arranged to hold the steel plates solid and secure. The steel plates are mitered together at the corners.

The wear on the molds from the compression of the clay in them is most in the center, and can be made good at any time by replacing the polished steel plates.

The plates c7. d and the blocks .into which they iit have their surfaces flush with each other and forni guideways for the brick. The molds Z) I) have plungers E, which descend into them. accurately from above, and plungers F F, which worl; up and down in them from below to press the brick and push them up and out and to open the molds. These which hold them true in place and allow them Y blocks, or otherwise, to adjust for wear of the to move vertically while so held. The upper plunger-head, E', has lugs or parts at its sides which extend upward and hold a heavy pivot `bolt or pin, E2, which engages link-bar F.3

from pitman-lever H to push the upper plungers down to press the brick, and to pull them up to free the molds to admit the discharge of the bricky and the refilling of the molds. The lower plunger-head, F, has a heavy pivot pin or shaft, F2, which projects through openings in frames A A2, to engage with link-bars F3 F3 from pitman-lever H, to draw the lower plungers up to press the clay into brick and discharge them, and to push the -plungers down to open the molds again to receive clay.

The shaft G is borne by frames A2 A3 and bears a disk, G', .on its end, which has a driv.- ing crank-arm, G2. The pitman-leverH connects with crank G2, so as to operate it as a pitman during its whole revolution and as a lever during a part of the same to give a compound series of motions to the .plungers to y ypress and discharge the brick and to open the molds again for clay. The pitman-lever H connects with crank G2 by a bearing-box, H', in its end, which is borne in a slotted seat in which it is adjustable crosswise by set-screws,

several joints connecting with the plungers E F. The link-bar E2 connects with the other end of pitman-lever H by a pivot-pin, H2, held ou each side of bar E3 by branches ofthe pitn man-lever, and link-bars F3 connect with the has pivot-pins H, with friction-rollers to run pitman-lever by pivot-pin H3 ata point above pivot-pin H2, as shown. The pitman-lever H upon guideways h on frames A A2 during a part olj' the movement, so as to give a lever motion to the pitman by the motion of the crank to produce varied compound motions of the. plungers. The plungers are cored out hollow to receive steam to heat them to prevent the clay from clogging onto their faces. The steam is introduced into one top plunger by flexible pipe or hose at Q, and is passed from one to the other and discharged from the second by means of passages Q,co'red or bored out at the sides,which open from the chambers from wells or depressions Q2 at they bottom, so as tol carry off the condensedl water. The steam and water pass by reciprocating pipes Q3, which telescope one in the other with a suitable packing, into the lower plungers, from which the water is drained away by'a flexible hoseor pipe. The iillerfbox O is moved back and ,forth under the hopper C and over the moldsV by link-bar P from lever P. Thelever P is pivoted to frame A2 at.P2,and engages at P3 with a cam-channel cut around the face of disk GV next to frame A2, so as to give the l proper motions to the filler-box at the proper times in the series of motions of the machine. This cam is circular for three-fourths of the revolution, so as to hold the filler stationary while the other parts act to press and.l push Aout the brick, and in the other fourth, ap-

wheel K turns to driye the machine. Wheel K2 turns wheel L and wheel L2 on shaft L, which has bearings in the same frames, and wheel L2 turns wheel G4 ou shaft Gto operate the machine. The proportions of the wheels in this train are arranged to reduce a rapiu belt-motion to the speed proper for the making of the brick. Tho friction-clutch has a hollow coned part, M, forming one side of wheel K2, and the wheel and part are held loose on the shaft between collarskk thereon. The solid coned part Miits into the hollow of part M, and is loose on shaft K, but is turned by a pin from the shaft which works in a slot in part M, so as to let it be forced into or out of part M to operate the machine by friction. The part M is moved back and forth on the shaft to engage with part M by means of'lever f N which connects with it by a yoke or collar lin a channel around part M.

This lever has bearings in slots in block N, which are cut obliquely in contrary directions on opposite sides,.so as to act screw-like upon the lever to move it sidewise. y

Fig. lshows the positions of the parts with Shaft K has the top plungers raised and the bottom plungers pushed down inthe molds, and with the filler-box drawn forward over the molds, having pushed the brick forward onto table C4 and filled the opened molds. From this position the disk G turns, with its crank and pitman-lever H, in the direction of the arrow, so as to produce a series of different actions in a series of steps of time, as follows:

First. The ller-box is drawn back from over the molds and remains stationary under the hopper C until the brick are pressed and discharged, and the back end of the pitmanlever H is raised and drawn back by crank G2.

Second. This motion of the pitman-lever raises bearing H4 from guideway h, and drawsv pivot-pin H2'back in such a path as to'push down the upper plungers into the molds, and moves pivot-pin H3 back-in such 'a pat-h as to let links -F3 turn on their lower bearingswithout moving the plungers until spurs F4 strike onto bearing a. The relations of the' movements of the two pivots H2 and H3 and of the two sets of plungers are promoted by the leverage between these pivots while the back end of the pitman-lever is rising with the crank G2, and the paths of the movements ofthe pivots are controlled so as to move the upper plungers positively down against anyr tendency to stick fast, and so as to hold the lower plungers stationary, by a bar, R, which extends from pivot H* to pivot R on the stationary frame, with which it engages by aslot, R2, so as to permit pivot H1L to move up in a path (shown in dotted lines 71.2 in Fig. l) within a curve having a radius of the length of this bar, which holds it as a swinging tie, while leaving it free to descend within it by the slot to follow guideway h.

Third. The motion of the crank carries the pitman, with its connected link-bars. backward, so as to bring the upper ends of thelinks over the molds with alltheirpivot-pins and the plungers nearly into one line or plane, causingthe two sets of plungers to be forced toward each other on the clay in the molds to press it into brick, pushing down by linkbar E3 on the upper plungers, and pulling up by links F3 on the lower plungers, so the parts approach toward the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 2. During this movement the `lower plungers are forced to rise in the molds to make a portion of the compression from below by the action of spur F* on bearing a as a lever as the links F3 turn backward. The pivot-pin H2 is laid out as upon the square corner of a right-angled triangle, with pivots H' and H3 on the other corners. This is arranged to bring the pvot H2 to the center or vertical point in advance of pivot H3, so that the maximum pressure does not occur at the center, as it would do if the two pivots passed it at the same time.

Fourth. The motion of the crank carries the end of pitma-n H down, so as to produce a lever action thereof on the pivot-pins HY Hs to carry pin H3 and the end of its link-bar onward most rapidly and counteract the tendency of the movement beyond the center or vertical to relieve the pressure. This lets the increase of pressure slack up somewhat for a short period While the parts are carried to their farthest point backward, and the crank descends below the dead-center; but the lifting action of the lower plungers on the brick in the molds is continued by the lever action of spur F* on bearing a until the backward motion of link-bar F3 ceases. During the slacking of pressure the particles of clay in the molds still held under high .pressure have time to flow together or coalesce solidly, and the continuance of upward motion tends to break the first set of the particles to the walls of the molds, so that the nal pressure can compact the whole brick uniformly to the center.

Fifth. As thelever motion continues it acts to stop the backward travel of the lower pivot pin, H2, and start it into return motion before pivot H3, to bring it into a position between that and the pivot in the top plunger-head, so that when both pivots H2 H3 move back by the action of the crank on the pitman H they will approach the center or vertical point ,rest upon part S.

more nearly in one line or plane with the pivots in the plunger-heads, and produce an additional increase of pressure to finish the compression of the brick. This step oi motion brings the several parts into the positions shown in fuli lines in Fig. 2, and brings down the pivot H4, with its friction roller, to contact with its guideway h.

Sixth. The crank carries the back end of the pitman still farther down and forward, so that it turns as alever on pivot-pin H*,which is carried forward in a` path determined to suit the 'needs by the form and position of guideway It, so as to lift and push forward the ends of the pitman-lever and its connected link-bars, so as to pull or push the brick up in the molds without lifting the top plungers from them until reaching the tops of the molds. This motion continues until the brick are raised entirely out of the molds, the top 4plungers moving most rapidly to free the brick and give room for the filler-box to pass under them and brings the parts into the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Seventh. The crank carries the back end of the pitman-lever forward at the bottom of its course from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, so as to complete the lifting of the top plungers, and pushes the parts toward the positions shown in full lines in Fig. l. The disk G', with its cam-channel, comes into action to move lever l?, so as to push the :filler-box C forward and push the brick out of the way onto table O4, and to carry a supply ot' clay forward over the molds. The movement ofthe pitmanlever carries the pivot H4 to a position over the pivot of part T. The upper plungers rise till the piu T2 on plunger-head E strikes cross part T3, which extends from upright bars T on the two sides extending up from the ad` justable part S, so as to stop and prevent further upward movement of the plungers.

Eighth. The crank carries the back end of the Pitman-lever forward and upward, so as to push all the parts into the positions shown iu full lines in Fig. l., The contact of part T3 as a holder or tie with pin T2 on the upper `plunger-head holds that, and causes the front vend of pitmanlever H to swing forward and downward as the pivot H1L passes over and down the curve of part T',so as to force thelinkbar F3 down and push the bottom plungers down in the molds to let the clay descend and iill them for a new set of brick. The depth Ito which the bottom descends in the molds,

and the consequent quantity of clay which the `molds will receive to form the brick, is deterj usted and'held by a screw-bolt7 S', and securing-nut in front, so that the bottom of the lower .plunger-head, F', will descend to and The front end of guideway h is formed of part T, which is suitably curved and adjustable on its pivot by means of tiebars T, which are connected to one of these on IIO each side and held by part S, with which it moves up and down.

These eight steps of movement of the parts complete the actions required for each set or lot of brick, and bring the parts to the positions at which they were at the start, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. repeated with suitable rapidity continuously, so as to form and discharge the brick on table C, from which they are removed by hand for hacking up or putting in kiln.

When it is desired to stop the machine, the lever N is raised at its free end beside the operator'. who removes the brick, and is fastened in place in a notch or holder, which throws the clutch Ksoutof gear with the wheel K2,

so as to let the machine stop.

The machine is easily started by pushing this lever down and holding it in place in a like wav, so as to force the revolving solid cone M' into the hollow cone of wheel K2, to cause it to turn by friction.

The clutch is arranged to slip at any great increase of stress to avoid breaking any part.

The several parts are made and arranged and connected among themselves to produce the desired series of actions, and various modiications of parts-'can be made.

I claim- 1. A brick-machine formed with a driving crank, G2, bearing a pitman, H, provided with a lever-pivot, H4, and a camway-bcaring, h, therefor, and having upper and lower plungers connected to pitman H at different points by link-bars, and governed by spur F4 and tie R, adapted to produce from the motion of the crank a series of varied motions of c the plungers, substantially as set forth.

2. In a brick-machine, the pitman H, provided with link-bar connections at different points from upper and lower plungers adapted to move the plungers toward each other at one time, and provided with pivot H4, adapted to move and act upon a guideway, h, to produce a variable lever action of the pitman with its connected parts.

3. In a'brick-machine, the pitman H, provided with link-bar connections at different points from upper and lower plungers,adapt ed to move the plungers toward each other at one time.

4. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided with a link-bar connection, to which isl attached a plunger for pressing brick, and having a pivot, Ht, adapted to move and act upon a guideway to produce a variable lever action of the pitman.

5. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided with link-bar connection with one or more plungers for pressing brick, and with a pivot, H4, adapted to move and turn upon a guideway to produce variable lever action and having a crosswise adjustable crank-connection adapted to adjust the leverage.

6. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided with link-bar connections from differ- The motions are support and adapted to draw each other to press brick, and having a crosswise adjustable crank-connection adapted to adjust the leverage of the pitman bctweenthe two sets of plunger-connections.

7. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided With link-bar connections with one or more plungers adapted to press brick, and provided with a pivot, H4, adapted toV move and act along a guideway, in combination with a guideway having an adjustable portion, T.

8. In a brick-machine, a pitman,-H, provided with a link-bar connection with a plunger adapted to press brick, and Iwith a pivot, H4, adapted to move and act along a guideway, combined with a slotted holder, R2 connecting the pitman with a `holdingpivot, R.

9. Apivoced homer, R, combined with a' compression apparatus having a plunger, and` adapted to pull down the plunger or to prevent it from failing'to come down upon the material to be compressed.

l0. In a brick-machine, the combination cf upper and lower plungers and a pitman-lever having connections to the plungers, with a part, R, from the pitman pivoted Ito a xed down the plungers into the mold. f

11. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided with a link-bar connection to a plunger adapted to press brick', combined with a holder, T3, adapted to engage with a part, T2,

IOO

connected with a support and'adapted to conor to prevent it from failing to come down to open the mold to' receive the clay.`

13. In a brick-machine, the combination of upper and lower plungers and a pitman-lever having connections to .the plungers, with a part, T2, connected with a stationary support and adapted to come in contact with a part connected with the pitman to draw down the lower plungers in the mold.

14. In a brick-machine, a pitman, H, provided with a link-bar connection with a' plunger adapted vto press brick, which linkbar is provided with a side-spur, F4, adapted to assist in moving the plunger.

l5.v In a brick-machine, a link-bar connection from a plunger adapted to press brick connected with a source of motion adapted to give it a sidewise or swinging motion at one end, and provided with a side spur, F, and bearing therefor, adapted to act during a part of the motion to cause a lengthwise motion of the link-bar.

16. In a pressing-machine, a link-bar, F3, adapted to be moved sidewise at one end, provided with a spur at one side adapted `to cause lengthwise motion of the link-bar.

17. In a. brick-machine, a friction-clutch, K3, provided with an operating-lever adapted to Work as a lever pivoted around the driving-shaft, and engaged with bearings on each 5 side in parts having oblique slots cut in them adapted to move the lever and part of the clutch sidewise along the shaft by the turning of the lever.

1S. The device for operating a friction 1o clutch provided with oblique slots cut in stutionayry parts to hold the ends of an operating-lever on opposite sides of the shaft, and adapted to move the lever and part of the clutch along the shaft by turning the lever. 19. A brickmachin'e plunger adapted to move downward into the mold to press a brick therein,4 provided with a. chamber in the plunger adapted to receive steam for heating the plungerface, and having an upwardopening passage from a Well or depression in the bottom of the chamber adapted to discharge Water therefrom by means of passing steam.

20. In abriok-machine7 a system of pipes and passages connected through espace Within an upper compression-plunger and by an upward passage from the bottom of suoli space, to a space Within a lower plunger adapted for the circulation of steam to heat both plungers and to discharge Water from the bot- 3o tom of the space in the upper plunger, substantially as set forth. 21. In a brick-machine, a mold provided with a lower plunger having a link-bar connection from a source of power'adapted to 35 push the plunger down to open the mold, combined with a separate part, S. under it, provided with a means of vertical adjustment adapted to determine the extent of the descent of the plunger to open the mold. 40

22. The combination of two plun gers adapt- Y ed to press on opposite sides of a brick or block with a pitinan connected by link-bars directly with each plunger.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

y ALBERT D. THOMAS. Witnesses:

SAML. J. WALLACE, Guo. M. LooKWooD. 

